There has been lots of factory deaths in recent years, both documented and un-documented. One of the most documented ones would be the Rana Plaza tragedy (2013) in Bangladesh where the factory building collapsed and over 1000 people died and 2,500 were injured.

This happened because the factory owner wanted to complete an important ( more important than the safety of his workers) order and sent the workers inside the factory, even though he knew it was unsafe. Workers could not refuse to work as they would risk losing their jobs and their livelihood.

This is just one of the tragedies but there has been so many more. Only just a few weeks ago, 72 people died in a shoe factory in the Philippines.

Then there are entire villages in India that suffer from crippling debts and toxic poisoning from cotton production.

This is just part of the human cost of making the fast fashion that we so desire.

What about the price that our planet is paying ?

Pollution, deforestation, climate change, animals dying …. these are just a few of the issues we are dealing with at the moment. All due to our over consumption and increased waste production.

This polar bear starved to death in Svalvard, Norway. Disappearing ice caps are robbing polar bears of both their living space and food.A waste incineration plant and its surroundings in BangladeshA dead albatross shows what happens when we litter. A living dumpster.The Indonesian surfer Dede Surinaya rides a wave of filth and trash (Java, Indonesia).In Oregon, this thousand year old forest fell victim to the chain saw for a new dam.

Being a brand owner and retailer, it may seem a bit odd that I should be against consumption and in a way against shopping but I really am.

I am not saying that we should all just stop shopping because that’s not going to happen but I do think we need to shop more consciously.

We need to just stop to think for a second before we buy anything.

Do I need this ?

Do I really want to buy this ?

Will I actually use it ?

How long will it last ?

Are there any better options out there ?

And then of course, we should also think about where and how the product was made.

Am i supporting something that i believe in or something that i don’t ? All these things should matter when we make our purchases.

As a retailer and brand owner, I want to make sure that each and every product that we offer to sell to you, will be a product that you can feel good about buying. Good human value is important to us.

Maximising human and earth profit is what drives this company forward.

Last but not least, please watch The Real Cost, a documentary about the true cost of our fashion industry, and you will see exactly why I think sustainability is a must.

Here is the trailer but do make sure you download and watch the entire movie because what they say is very important.